Growing band of fans buy only downloads

ONE in five Britons now rely exclusively on legal downloads for their music consumption.

Figures from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) reveal just under 20 per cent (19.6) of music consumers no longer purchase CDs or other physical goods.

Across the UK, 27.7 per cent of people bought downloads or used legal online streaming services. However, 14.5 per cent admitted using illegal filesharing sites. The BPI’s Digital Music Nation 2013 report estimates the streaming market in the UK is now worth £49 million to record labels.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said it was vital to support high street retail of CDs and vinyl but added: “Britain is blessed with a world-beating array of digital music services, which fans rate very highly for ease of use and value for money.”